The impact of a single session of sprint interval training (SIT) on pain pressure threshold (PPT) in healthy adults
Article
Pacenza, F., Brickley, G., Crainich, U., Bettariga, F., Turner, A. and Maestroni, L. 2026. The impact of a single session of sprint interval training (SIT) on pain pressure threshold (PPT) in healthy adults. Sports. 14 (6). https://doi.org/10.3390/sports14060237
| Type | Article |
|---|---|
| Title | The impact of a single session of sprint interval training (SIT) on pain pressure threshold (PPT) in healthy adults |
| Authors | Pacenza, F., Brickley, G., Crainich, U., Bettariga, F., Turner, A. and Maestroni, L. |
| Abstract | Different forms of aerobic exercise lead to Exercise-Induced Hypoalgesia (EIH). The aim of this study was to investigate the acute effect of a single session of Sprint Interval Training (SIT) on EIH. A total of 44 recreationally active young adults participated in a single SIT session on a cycle ergometer, consisting of a 2 min warm-up, 3 × 20 s “all-out” cycling bouts interspersed with 2 min of active recovery, and a 3 min cool-down. Pain Pressure Threshold (PPT) measurements were taken on the quadriceps (working muscle) and thenar eminence (resting muscle) before and after the session. Additionally, average power generated during the sprints and the Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) at the end of the session were recorded. Percentage changes from baseline to post-session were calculated for each participant and averaged. Paired-samples t-tests assessed pre–post differences in both local and distal PPT, with Cohen’s d effect sizes (ES) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) determining the magnitude of differences. Pearson correlation examined the relationship between average power, RPE, and changes in local and distal PPT. All results were statistically significant (p < 0.001). A single SIT session induced a large hypoalgesic response at both the local site (d = 1.79; 95% CI 1.31–2.27) and the distal site (d = 1.16; 95% CI 0.77–1.54). No significant correlations were found between average power, RPE, and local and distal PPT changes. In this exploratory single-arm study, PPT increased significantly at both local and distal sites following a single 10 min SIT session, consistent with an acute EIH response; however, in the absence of a control condition, these findings should be interpreted with caution. |
| Keywords | hypoalgesia; exercise; interval training |
| Sustainable Development Goals | 3 Good health and well-being |
| Middlesex University Theme | Health & Wellbeing |
| Publisher | MDPI |
| Journal | Sports |
| ISSN | |
| Electronic | 2075-4663 |
| Publication dates | |
| Online | 08 Jun 2026 |
| 08 Jun 2026 | |
| Publication process dates | |
| Submitted | 29 Apr 2026 |
| Accepted | 05 Jun 2026 |
| Deposited | 09 Jun 2026 |
| Output status | Published |
| Publisher's version | License File Access Level Open |
| Copyright Statement | © 2026 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license. |
| Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.3390/sports14060237 |
https://repository.mdx.ac.uk/item/3687z6
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